Charleston 29th Aug 1854
Dear Cousin
No doubt you will think I have
forgot you and the rest of my playmates around
Ballynure, if so you are mistaken there is never a
day passes but I think of you all (E J Forsythe,
especially). I have good health myself at present
and hope these few lines will find you and the
rest of my relatives & friends enjoying the same blessing.
I had a letter from my father yesterday
which stated that he and my brother were all well
and also mentioned the death of our friend Jane
Kennedy. The Yellow Fever is now in the City and
if it grows very destructive I will go up to Abbeville
again to Uncle Wms [Williams?] till it abates, there were 12
deaths yesterday of that disease and this is only
the 7th day it has been here. I like storekeeping
very well, my wages are $75 Dollars and board for
the first year. That is equal to 15 guineas Brittish [British?]
You may tell Mr Samuel Forsythes's people that
I see Wm [William?] Robert John & Miss Margaret almost every
day, they are all well. I had a letter yesterday
from cousin R E Hill of Abbeville which
stated that Uncle Wm [William?] & Arthur Irwin's people
were all well. There are three Negroes to be hung
up at Abbeville on the 15th of September for killing
their overseer* named Mattox because he had punished
one of their number the day previous, they
first threw him down and cut him on the
head & neck with their axes and then ended
his life by throwing him in a creek and drowning
him. In the town of Ogdensburgh (where
father lives) there has been over 60 Deaths from
cholera. Widow Houston that came out with
him had a severe attack of that disease but is
now recovering.
I have no more of any importance
to write to you but remember me to Uncle Wm
McMurley & family also to Grand Mother & Uncle
Hugh and receive My best respects yourself
Write soon and Your sincere Cousin
let me know all about David Thomson
the birth, deaths, and marriages, around B'nure [Ballynure?].
* He was overseer for Uncle Wms [Williams?] Brotherinlaw
Larkin Barmore
P.S. Remember me to old Jane
and tell her that Arthur's folks had got
her letter. You can also tell the Miss Murdocks
if you have an opportunity that Mr ---
Harbesons family are all well.
D. Thomson
-----------
Direct your letter to David Thomson
care of Jns [James?] Harbeson Esq
Charleston, So. Ca.,
U.S.A
